Lake County, South Dakota

Lake County

General Information
Name	Lake County, South Dakota
Native Name
Other Names
Settlement Type	County
Transliteration
Language 1
Type 1
Info 1
Location
Coordinates	44.0°-97.1 type:adm2nd_region:US-SD°{{{4}}}
Map
Population
Total	12,797
Density	per km²
Area
Total	km²
Land	km²
Water	km²
Government
Type
Leader
Time Zone
Standard	UTC
DST	UTC

Lake County is a county located in the state of South Dakota, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,797. The county seat is Madison, which is also the largest city in the county.

History

Lake County was established in 1873. The county was named for the numerous lakes in the area, which are a significant feature of the local geography. The development of the county was closely tied to the expansion of the railroad and agriculture, which remain important to the local economy.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 square miles (1,490 km²), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km²) is land and 12 square miles (31 km²) (2.1%) is water. The county is characterized by its rolling plains and numerous lakes, which provide opportunities for recreation and wildlife habitat.

Major Highways

• U.S. Route 81
• South Dakota Highway 34
• South Dakota Highway 19

Adjacent Counties

• Brookings County (north)
• Moody County (east)
• Minnehaha County (southeast)
• McCook County (south)
• Miner County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 12,797 people, 5,000 households, and 3,200 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of Native American, Asian, African American, and other races.

Economy

The economy of Lake County is diverse, with agriculture playing a significant role. The county's fertile soil supports the cultivation of crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Additionally, the presence of lakes and natural resources supports tourism and recreational activities.

Education

Lake County is served by several school districts, with the largest being the Madison Central School District. Higher education is provided by Dakota State University, located in Madison, which offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Government

Lake County is governed by a board of commissioners, with each commissioner representing a district within the county. The county government is responsible for local services such as law enforcement, road maintenance, and public health.

Communities

Cities

• Madison

Towns

• Ramona
• Wentworth

Unincorporated Communities

• Chester
• Nunda

Also see

• List of counties in South Dakota
• History of South Dakota
• Geography of South Dakota
• Economy of South Dakota